We pressed deeper into the tunnels, our footsteps echoing off crystalline walls. The air grew thicker, carrying the scent of sulphur and decay. Our shadows danced across the walls, cast by the ethereal glow of mineral formations.

"I don't like this," Aria whispered, her usual playful demeanour subdued. "It feels like we're being watched."

Isabella's grip tightened on her sword. "That's quite possible. We destroyed one of their warriors. The Lich controlling these undead would have noticed."

A shiver ran down my spine. "Let's hope we don't have to fight one of those."

The tunnel widened into a vast chamber, its ceiling lost in darkness above. Heat rolled up from below as we approached the edge of a massive chasm. The sight below froze me in place.

Rank upon rank of undead marched through the depths. Skeleton warriors led formations of zombies and other creatures I couldn't identify. Their weapons gleamed dully in the red glow of magma flows, an endless river of death flowing through the underground passage.

"This... isn't good, right?" Aria's voice wavered slightly.

Isabella shook her head, her silver hair catching the crimson light. "No, it's not. The undead haven't been this organized since the last invasion. Something's stirring them up."

"Could this be connected to the power struggles happening in Glacius?" I asked, unable to tear my eyes away from the army below.

"Possible, but highly unlikely." Isabella crouched lower, studying the formations. "The undead lords rarely involve themselves in demon politics. They prefer to remain isolated unless directly threatened."

"What could have threatened them enough to organize like this?" I asked, keeping my voice low as we watched the undead legions march below.

Isabella's ice-blue eyes narrowed. "I'm not certain. It could be one of Madana's rivals making a play for control of the First Circle. Or perhaps there's some internal conflict we don't know about. Hard to tell without more information." She straightened up, brushing dust from her knees. "I'll need to report this to Mother - she'll want to send a proper scouting party to investigate."

The endless stream of skeletal warriors and zombies continued their eerie parade through the chasm depths. My skin crawled watching their synchronized movements, so different from the scattered undead we'd encountered earlier.

"Well, I've had enough exploring for one day," Aria announced, taking a step back from the edge. "We're back in charted territory now anyway. Maybe we should head back before something notices us?"

"Agreed," I nodded. The sight of that army had killed any curiosity I had about these caves.

"Yes, we've seen more than enough," Isabella whispered.

We turned to retrace our steps through the tunnel. As Aria pivoted, her heel caught a loose stone. The rock skittered across the ground before tumbling into the chasm.

The sound of its descent seemed to echo forever in the vast chamber. Below, the marching suddenly ceased. The endless rattling of bones and shuffling of decayed flesh fell silent. The quiet felt heavier than any noise.

"Run." Isabella's voice cut through the stillness. She spun and bolted toward the exit tunnel.

I sprinted after Isabella, my feet barely touching the ground as we fled. The crystalline walls blurred past, their glow casting frantic shadows. A deep rumble shook the chamber behind us, followed by a sound that made my blood run cold - an otherworldly roar that echoed through the cavern.

"Keep running!" Isabella shouted.

I risked a glance over my shoulder and immediately regretted it. A massive skeletal form burst from the chasm, its bone wings spreading wide enough to scrape the chamber walls. Empty eye sockets burned with unholy fire as the creature's skull turned toward us.

"Bone Dragon!" Isabella's voice carried over the thunderous beating of skeletal wings. "Get to the tunnels! Now!"

The tunnel entrance seemed impossibly far away. My lungs burned as I pushed myself faster, feeling the dragon's presence looming closer. The heat of its magical fire brushed my back.

We dove into the tunnel just as massive jaws snapped shut behind us. The sound of teeth clicking together echoed through the passage. The dragon's skull pressed against the entrance, its burning eyes fixed on us as it tried unsuccessfully to force its way through.

Aria spun around, facing the frustrated beast. She stuck out her tongue and waggled it at the dragon. "Ha! Too big to catch us now!"

"Stop fooling around!" Isabella grabbed Aria's arm. "We need to move before the rest of the undead cut us off from the other side!"

I didn't need to be told twice. We raced deeper into the tunnel, leaving the frustrated roars of the Bone Dragon behind us.

I watched Isabella's hands shake slightly as she pulled the map from her ring, her eyes darting across the parchment while we ran. Her voice cut through our heavy breathing, directing us through the maze of tunnels.

"Left here!" She pointed at a fork. We veered sharply, our footsteps echoing off the obsidian walls.

"Right at the next junction!" The crystalline formations cast strange shadows as we turned again.

My heart pounded against my ribs as we rounded another corner. The tunnel opened into a wider chamber with two branching paths ahead. My muscles tensed at the sight that greeted us. From both passages, organized groups of skeletons marched forward, their hollow eye sockets fixed on us with eerie intelligence. These weren't like the mindless ones we'd dispatched earlier - their movements were coordinated, purposeful.

"Back!" Isabella's voice cracked. "We need to go back!"

We spun around, but the sound of clicking bones and shuffling feet echoed from the direction we'd come. The distant noise grew louder - another group approaching.

"They're herding us," I realized, scanning the chamber desperately.

Aria grabbed my arm, pointing to a narrow crevice in the wall. "There!"

The gap looked barely wide enough for us to squeeze through, the rough edges of the rock threatening to tear at our clothes and skin. But with undead closing in from three directions, we had no choice.

"Into the tunnel," Isabella ordered, her usual composure cracking. "Now!"

I pressed myself into the tight passage, the rough stone scraping against my sides as I moved forward. The sound of bones clicking together grew closer as Aria and Isabella squeezed in behind me.

I pulled myself through the last stretch of the narrow crevice, my body sliding free into a larger space. Taking deep breaths, I marveled at how easily this succubus form had managed the tight squeeze. The natural elasticity of my demonic body had proven invaluable.

Aria tumbled out behind me, followed by Isabella who emerged with far more grace. As we caught our breath, I took in our surroundings. Wooden crates lined the stone walls, while glass bottles filled crude shelves, their contents ranging from clear liquids to murky substances. Dried plants hung from the ceiling in neat bundles, and preserved insects sat in jars alongside them.

A heavy wooden door stood at the far end of the room, its circular iron handle catching the dim light from the crystalline formations above.

"The crack looks fresh," I noted, running my hand along the jagged edge of the opening we'd squeezed through. "Recent tremors, maybe?"

Aria brushed dust off her clothes. "Okay, but where exactly are we?"

Isabella pulled out her map again, studying it with furrowed brows. "I... I don't know. This area isn't marked anywhere." She turned the parchment, checking it from different angles. "We must have crossed into an unmapped section."

"Could be some kind of hideout," I suggested, examining the organized storage setup. "Or an outpost. This looks too well-maintained to be abandoned."

I watched as Aria moved closer to examine the shelves, her eyes lighting up with recognition. "These are all alchemical supplies." She picked up one of the bottles, studying its contents. "Look at these preservation methods - whoever set this up knows their craft."

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Isabella traced her fingers along the dusty shelves. "But who would leave such valuable materials here?" She lifted a jar containing what appeared to be preserved spider legs. "Some of these ingredients are quite rare."

I weighed our options, glancing between the crack we'd emerged from and the wooden door ahead. "Should we wait it out and try going back later, or see what's behind that door?"

"Let's check behind the door," Aria said, already moving toward it. "I mean, we came all this way. Might as well explore while we're here."

Isabella shook her head at Aria's enthusiasm but didn't disagree. "It might be better to push forward anyway. Those undead aren't known for their short attention spans - they'll probably stay posted there for a week or two." She placed the jar back on the shelf. "Once they decide to guard a position, they commit to it."

I watched as Aria strode confidently to the heavy wooden door, wrapping her fingers around the iron handle. Her face scrunched up as she pulled.

"Why are doors in these caves so heavy?" She grunted, straining against the aged wood.

A laugh escaped my lips at her dramatic struggle. "Here, let me help." I moved beside her, adding my strength to hers. The door creaked in protest as we worked together to drag it open.

Isabella kept her stance ready behind us, sword drawn and eyes alert for any threats that might emerge. Her caution made sense given our recent encounters.

As the gap widened, dim light spilled out from the chamber beyond. The scene that greeted us made me freeze - an alchemical laboratory filled the space, with various apparatus arranged on stone tables. Glass tubes twisted between bubbling flasks, and strange vapors drifted through the air.

But what caught my attention was the skeletal figure hunched over one of the workstations. It wore elaborate robes that seemed to float around its frame, and its skull bore intricate glowing runes carved deep into the bone. Next to the undead alchemist, a book hovered in mid-air, suspended within a circle of magical light.

"Shit," Isabella whispered behind us, her voice tight with tension. "That's a Lich."

The Lich's skull turned toward us, empty eye sockets flickering with eerie blue flames. His movements were fluid, almost graceful as he set down the vial he'd been examining.

"Welcome, young ladies." His voice resonated with unexpected warmth. Behind us, the door slammed shut with a heavy thud that made Aria jump. "What brings such... interesting visitors to my humble laboratory?"

I kept my stance ready, noting how his gaze lingered on each of us in turn. Despite his polite tone, power radiated from his skeletal form. There was no chance he hadn't orchestrated this entire encounter - the undead army, our desperate flight through the tunnels, finding this conveniently placed crack in the wall.

Isabella must have reached the same conclusion. She straightened her posture and spoke clearly, "We came investigating the recent undead attacks in the northern regions."

"Indeed," Aria added, her usual playfulness subdued.

The Lich's jaw shifted in what might have been contemplation. "Ah, to be young and driven by such dangerous curiosity." His skull moved in a way that somehow conveyed amusement, bone grinding softly against bone. "I remember being much the same, before... well, before all this." He gestured at his skeletal form.

"I may have the answers you seek." He drummed his bony fingers against the workstation. "But knowledge has its price. What would you offer in exchange?"

Aria perked up. "We have soul coins-"

"No, no." The Lich waved dismissively. "I have no need for such common currency." His blue flame eyes fixed on our group. "But you possess something far more valuable."

We exchanged confused glances. What could we possibly have that would interest an ancient undead sorcerer?

The Lich raised one bony finger, pointing directly at me. "A few drops of your blood would suffice... Princess."

My heart seemed to stop. How could he know? I'd been so careful with my disguise. Even Isabella and Aria didn't know my true identity.

"Why do you want my blood?" I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the shock of being exposed.

The Lich's blue flames flickered. "I'm afraid that's a trade secret, my dear. Though I can sweeten the deal - perhaps some rare alchemical formulas or a few choice artifacts from my collection?"

"Wait a minute." Aria stepped forward, her violet eyes wide. "What does he mean by princess? What's so special about your blood?"

I sighed deeply. With what the Lich revealed, they'd piece it together eventually. "I'm not an ordinary succubus. I'm the daughter of Lilith and Lucifer."

"What?" Isabella's ice-blue eyes widened. "But you're a merchant's daughter. We saw your mother-"

"That was Lilith in disguise," I admitted.

"But your name is Nightstar, not Morning-" Aria froze mid-sentence, her mouth forming a small 'o' as realization struck. "Nightstar... Morningstar. Oh hell."

Isabella pressed her fingers to her temples. "It should have been obvious. The white hair, your talent for magic..." She shook her head. "The way your mother carried herself when she visited. No merchant, no matter how successful, moves with that kind of presence."

"But all this time..." Aria paced in small circles. "The club visits, the shopping trips to Earth, sharing a room with you..." Her eyes grew even wider. "By the nine circles, I spoke to Lilith herself. The Queen of Hell was in our dorm room!"

Isabella let out a small laugh, though it held a touch of irony. "And here I thought I was being clever, planning to have you work for my family."

The Lich observed our exchange with apparent amusement, his skull somehow managing to convey entertainment despite its fixed features. His bony fingers tapped against each other as he waited for our drama to unfold.

I took a deep breath, pushing aside the tension that had built up. "Now that it's over and you know the truth, I hope things can stay between us as they were before." My voice came out softer than intended, betraying my vulnerability.

Aria's face lit up with her characteristic grin. "Of course! But only if you promise to take me to the palace every now and then." She bounced on her heels, already dreaming of the possibilities.

Isabella gave a measured nod, her silver hair catching the dim light of the laboratory. "It will be hard to get used to, but I promise nothing will change between us." Her ice-blue eyes held steady, conveying sincerity that made my chest tight with relief.

I released a heavy sigh, glancing at the Lich who remained eerily silent during our exchange. "You need to keep this a secret. If my mother learns that you know about it, or if anyone else finds out..." I let the implications hang in the air. "We'll all be in trouble."

"Your secret is safe with us," Isabella assured, placing her hand over her heart in a formal gesture.

Aria nodded vigorously. "Absolutely! Not a word to anyone."

The Lich made a sound like clearing his throat, the noise echoing oddly in the chamber. "Now that your... personal matters are settled, what say you to my offer, Princess?"

I crossed my arms, studying his skeletal form. The blue flames in his eye sockets flickered steadily, but revealed nothing of his true intentions. Whatever he wanted my blood for, keeping it secret meant it couldn't be anything beneficial.

"What happens if I refuse?"

"Then I shall show you and your friends the way out." He gestured toward another door with his bony fingers. "I have no desire to see my research jeopardized because I foolishly harmed Lilith's daughter."

Relief washed over me. I'd half expected him to trap us here or threaten us. "In that case, I must decline your offer."

"Very well." The Lich's skull bobbed in what might have been a nod. "And as a gesture of goodwill, I shall answer your original question about the undead attacks."

Aria perked up beside me. "Really? Just like that?"

"Indeed." The Lich moved to his workstation, picking up a crystal that projected a magical map of the tunnel system. "You see, some fool recently breached one of the deeper magma chambers. The resulting flood has rendered many of the lower tunnels uninhabitable, even for the undead."

Isabella stepped closer to examine the map. "Forcing mass migration through the upper tunnels."

"Precisely." The Lich's bony finger traced several glowing paths. "The migration has created tensions between various undead rulers. Territory disputes, resource conflicts - the usual political nonsense that plagues both the living and dead."

"And the attacks on the surface?" I asked.

"Some undead break free from their masters' control during the chaos. They wander upward, driven by old instincts or simple confusion." He waved his hand dismissively. "Nothing particularly sinister, just the natural consequence of overcrowding."

Aria wrinkled her nose. "So, it's basically a refugee crisis for skeletons?"

"An oversimplification, but not entirely incorrect." The Lich turned back to his workbench and retrieved something from a drawer. "Before you depart, Princess, I have something for you."

He held out a small stone covered in glowing runes. "A communication rune. Should you ever change your mind about our potential trade, you need only activate it."

I hesitated before taking it. The stone felt cool against my palm, thrumming with latent magic.

"I have a feeling you may need my assistance someday," he added.

"Thank you, but I doubt that will happen." I tucked the rune into my ring's storage space anyway. No point in being rude about refusing it.

"The exit is through that door." He pointed to an archway that definitely hadn't been there before. "Follow the crystal lights. They will guide you to the surface near the city gates."

As we walked toward the exit, Isabella paused. "One last question, if I may. Why help us at all?"

The Lich's flames flickered with what might have been amusement. "Let's just say I appreciate the entertainment value of watching three young succubi stumble into my domain. It's been centuries since I've had such interesting visitors."

The passage he indicated was well-lit by glowing crystals, a stark contrast to the dark tunnels we'd fled through earlier. We walked in silence for several minutes, processing everything that had happened.

"So," Aria finally spoke up, her voice echoing slightly. "A princess, huh? That explains your white hair."

"I'm not really a princess," I said, watching our shadows dance against the crystal-lit walls. "Well, technically I am, but I don't feel like one." The words caught in my throat. How could I explain that mere months ago, I was just an engineer working on building plans and technical specifications?

Aria skipped ahead, turning to walk backwards while facing me. "Not a princess? Please, you've got the whole package - grace, power, beauty." She counted off on her fingers. "Plus, that thing you do with your hair when you're thinking hard? Total royal move."

"I do not do anything with my hair," I protested, self-consciously touching my white strands.

"Oh, you absolutely do." Isabella's lips curved into a knowing smile. "You twist it around your finger when you get lost in thoughts."

"Should we start curtseying when you enter the room?" Aria demonstrated an exaggerated bow that nearly made her trip over her own feet.

"Stop it," I groaned, but couldn't help smiling.

"Your Highness needs to work on her royal command voice." Isabella adopted an overly formal tone. "Perhaps we should practice proper court etiquette?"

"Oh! And we need to learn all the proper titles," Aria chimed in. "Is it 'Your Royal Highness' or 'Your Infernal Majesty'?"

"Neither, and if you try either of those, I'll curse you both," I threatened, though my laughter probably ruined any attempt at intimidation.

"Such un-princess-like behaviour," Isabella tsked. "What would your mother say?"

"Probably something terrifying while looking absolutely fabulous," Aria answered for me.

I shook my head, watching my friends continue their playful mockery.

"Just promise me you won't treat me differently," I said, my voice softer than intended.

Aria linked her arm through mine. "Of course not. You're still the same nerd who helps me with math homework."

"And corrects my alchemy formulas," Isabella added, taking my other arm.

We walked together through the crystal tunnel, their gentle teasing continuing but mixed with genuine affection that made everything feel a bit lighter. There was comfort in having one less secret between us, even if they didn't know the whole truth.